republicans responded negatively, including florida senator marco rubio, who issued a statement that said, in part, president obama is again using his power by imposing his policies via executive fiat. mr. obama pleaded with americans to confront congress directly. >> ask them what's more important. doing whatever it takes to get a "a" grade from the gun lobby or giving parents some peace of mind when they drop their child off for first grade. >> reporter: he even show cased children who have written him since newtown. >> she said, "i know that laws have to be passed by congress, but i beg you to try very hard." [ light laughter ] julie, i will try very hard. >> reporter: chuck todd, nbc news, the white house. >>> this is john yang in chicago where residents deal with gun violence virtually every day. last year, there were more than 510 murders, more than the number of u.s. troops killed in afghanistan. 86% of the homicides involved a gun. in one chicago interview, nothing president obama did would change that. >> i believe chicago already has very strict gun laws and we have, like,